Ashes Cricket 2013 General Discussion

[TripleM]

PS:I now wonder how Mike Fegan ended up in the gaming industry

I think he got some advice from the queen (this article spells his name slightly wrong though):

Buckingham Palace Security Breach | Stuff.co.nz

Buckingham Palace did not comment on the security breach, which was one of the most serious at the palace since Michael Fagan evaded guards in 1982 to get inside the Queen's private chambers while she was still in bed.

The unemployed father of four spent about 10 minutes talking to the Queen after he climbed over the palace walls and up a drainpipe.

The Queen managed to raise the alarm when Fagan asked for a cigarette, allowing her to call for a footman who held him until police arrived.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

I had the TV on in the background and when the newsreader said 'Michael Fagan' I was like 'What Mike Fegan, as in Trickstar games Mike Fegan

 

[Punk_Sk8r]

Nope he'd make a great politician in Australia too!!

He'd make a great politician anywhere in the world.

So I'm guessing there wasn't even a WIP update?

 

[blockerdave]

So I'm guessing there wasn't even a WIP update?

Nada. It's pretty obvious the bug-fixing isn't working, the marketing assets weren't up to scratch and the game won't see the light of day. Disappointing.

I think we've seen enough to know that when 505/Trickstar go quiet, bad news is not far behind.

 

[Crossy333]

By my (uninformed) calculations, for them to guarantee a November pre-1st test release, to ensure it goes through submission. They need to get the game to Sony & Microsoft by this Friday.

That clock is ticking....

 

[Chief]

By my (uninformed) calculations, for them to guarantee a November pre-1st test release, to ensure it goes through submission. They need to get the game to Sony & Microsoft by this Friday.

That clock is ticking....

Not sure what you're basing that on - It's not an exact science, but normal timings give them plenty more time than that...

 

[blockerdave]

Not sure what you're basing that on - It's not an exact science, but normal timings give them plenty more time than that...

Define "plenty"? Not more than an extra week or two, surely? Am sure we saw earlier - prior to June 21st fiasco - a timescale of 2 months(ish) from submission to release. It aint much less than that, is it? And we're 2.5 months to test, and as far as we know they are still only at bug-fixing / polishing stage, and haven't been able to produce the screenshots/marketing assets for 505.

I have more chance of playing naked twister with Natalie Portman in November than I do of seeing this game on the shelf by 1st Test.

 

[Crossy333]

Not sure what you're basing that on - It's not an exact science, but normal timings give them plenty more time than that...

My complete lack of knowledge...

And to try and spark some life into this thread by poking it with a big stick.

 

[Chief]

Define "plenty"? Not more than an extra week or two, surely? Am sure we saw earlier - prior to June 21st fiasco - a timescale of 2 months(ish) from submission to release. It aint much less than that, is it? And we're 2.5 months to test, and as far as we know they are still only at bug-fixing / polishing stage, and haven't been able to produce the screenshots/marketing assets for 505.

I have more chance of playing naked twister with Natalie Portman in November than I do of seeing this game on the shelf by 1st Test.

There are no definitive timescales, but even on a WORST-case basis, I'd say they have another 4 weeks before needing to start the submissions process.

 

[Biggs]

Nada. It's pretty obvious the bug-fixing isn't working, the marketing assets weren't up to scratch and the game won't see the light of day. Disappointing.

To be honest, I actually don't think the bug fixing/testing has anything to do with the ability to release a few screenshots or videos of the game. They did that months ago... I wouldn't imagine much has changed. The "Bug Fixing" more relates to the gameplay and perhaps getting that pesky wicketkeepers body to stay on...

I think we've seen enough to know that when 505/Trickstar go quiet, bad news is not far behind.

...that however, is a fairly good assumption to make though.

 

[blockerdave]

The "Bug Fixing" more relates to the gameplay and perhaps getting that pesky wicketkeepers body to stay on...

I am sceptical that they have fixed the body or reversed bat issues, and they haven't been able to get screenshots that look right.

It's obviously just speculation, but my reading of the past few posts from Mike and the radio silence this week is that they sent the screen shots to 505 and their response was "what are you on, crack? We are not putting that out" and hence the lack of any WIP or even a usual placeholder.

 

[Chief]

I am sceptical that they have fixed the body or reversed bat issues, and they haven't been able to get screenshots that look right.

It's obviously just speculation, but my reading of the past few posts from Mike and the radio silence this week is that they sent the screen shots to 505 and their response was "what are you on, crack? We are not putting that out" and hence the lack of any WIP or even a usual placeholder.

Mike's latest update said that they were sending assets over to the publisher "late this week". Add on that it would presumably take a while for approvals on those, so I wouldn't expect to see anything for at least a week or two.

 

[Biggs]

It's obviously just speculation, but my reading of the past few posts from Mike and the radio silence this week is that they sent the screen shots to 505 and their response was "what are you on, crack? We are not putting that out" and hence the lack of any WIP or even a usual placeholder.

I dunno man, I don't think it's anything like that. They were happy putting out those other buggy shots, bar is pretty low in that regard. I think it's more likely they've 'conceded the week' to BigAnt and they're waiting on approvals from licenee's and whatnot as that seems to the biggest time-chewer when it comes to this game, getting approvals from the Pope to release a few shots. Incredibly clunky when you have so many invested parties...

...another reason why I honestly don't think having official licenses are worth the money that gets handed around.

EDIT: Yeah, see Chief's post above... it's obvious they're just waiting on approvals for whatever they've done over the last week or so. Knowing how approvals in my industry go for media stuff, it'll take a while. Maybe next week is a possibility? Who knows... Mike prolly does...

 

[blockerdave]

The late this week thing has itself been a moveable feast from early in the week, to late the previous week. Which is the main source of my scepticism that they could actually get anything worth sending. The bar is low as you say, but if it's been delayed for months and the bar hasn't been raised, well tha's gonna be a pretty big turd in the water pipe.

On a side note, yeah you're absolutely right about licenses. It's weird that we've reached a situation where having official licenses becomes quite a big negative. Definitely better to spend the money on a good editor/creator than splurging the money to fill a licensors already deep coffers.

 

[Biggs]

Licenses have their benefit for marketing and selling the title, along with grabbing casual fans with the chance to play the "real thing" in a game. It all comes down to the agreement you sign and who has approvals over what. It's a double-edged sword... but I would say the figures that I have heard were paid for the AC13 licenses, if they're even half true... are a ridiculous waste of money.